Yevgenia Medvedeva, the Olympic figure skating favorite, will miss this week’s Russian Championships due to a foot injury, according to the Russian Figure Skating Federation.
Medvedeva was advised not to accelerate her return from a broken foot and associated pain she has felt since October, according to the federation.
The 18-year-old world champion can (and very likely will) still be invited to the Olympics by an International Olympic Committee panel tasked with forming the Olympic Athletes from Russia roster.
However, Medvedeva, who is undefeated the last two years, reportedly said in a speech to IOC members earlier this month that she “can not accept” competing in PyeongChang as a neutral athlete.